a sartorial soiree
On a recent Sunday at the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, a select group of guests attended a launch for Tenun Pahang Diraja, or Royal woven silk of Pahang. The event was hosted by luxury batik house Pink Jambu in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of its founding by Tengku Marina Ibrahim.
Gracing the event as the guest of honour was Kebawah Duli Yang Teramat Mulia, Tengku Puan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, the Royal consort to the Crown Prince of Pahang. Tengku Puan is the founder of Tenun Pahang Diraja, and published a book outlining the heritage of the art entitled “Tenun Pahang Diraja; Warisan, Tradisi dan Falsafah.”
Most pieces from Tenun Pahang Diraja are hand-woven by inmates of prisons in Penor, Pekan and Bentong. Tengku Puan champions this project for reasons two-fold, that it empowers inmates with a vocational skill and provides them with a means to provide for their families despite being incarcerated. Also a form of art therapy, the programme has grown exponentially in size; a mere 12 weavers a decade ago have increased to at least 200.
To mark the occasion, Pink Jambu presented no fewer than 50 pieces of batik fabrics to pair with a matching selection of tenun. In the colonial setting of this YTL classic hotel, modern batik designs of which Pink Jambu is known for came together with a most traditional Malaysian handicraft for a brunch gathering to remember.
